Locals debate ban on pit bulls, other vicious dogs

Thursday

Aug 7, 2014 at 6:34 PMAug 8, 2014 at 10:04 AM

Public pressure is growing locally for stronger vicious animal ordinances, with some people suggesting a ban on pit bulls.

Jacob BatteStaff Writer

Public pressure is growing locally for stronger vicious animal ordinances, with some residents suggesting a ban on pit bulls.Officials are researching the possibility of breed-specific legislation following three unprovoked attacks by pit bulls and a pit bull mix in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes since March, including one that killed a 4-year-old girl.“I don’t know if we’re going to be able to pull that off. I think that’s the way it should be,” said Lafourche Councilman John Arnold, referring to breed-specific laws. “We’ll see how it plays out.”Arnold advocates such restrictions even though he recently adopted a pit bull he found in the parking lot of the Mathews Government Complex.The Lafourche Parish Council will discuss proposed vicious animal legislation at its Aug. 26 meeting, but a breed-specific ban isn’t part of the proposal. Last month, the Terrebonne Parish Council passed an ordinance that increased penalties for owners of dangerous and vicious dogs. Morgan City and Mamou are among six Louisiana cities that ban pit bulls. Eighteen other cities and four parishes have restricted ownership of the breed and label it as dangerous or vicious.

Laws called ineffectiveThe American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals argues breed-specific laws are ineffective and expensive. “For example, Prince George’s County, Maryland, spends more than $250,000 annually to enforce its ban on pit bulls. In 2003, a study conducted by the county on the ban’s effectiveness noted that ‘public safety is not improved as a result’ and ‘there is no transgression committed by owner or animal that is not covered by another, non-breed specific portion of the Animal Control Code,’” the organization says on its website. Breed-specific legislation forces owners of those breeds to hide their dogs to avoid trouble, punishes responsible owners of the breeds in question, imparts a false sense of security and encourages ownership of the breed by irresponsible people, the group said.Though animal advocates have spent years defending pit bulls, some people question their demeanor, said state Humane Society Director Jeff Dorson. “The proliferation of pit bulls, our state has an awful lot of them. People need to know when they adopt a pit bull that they can be unpredictable,” he said. Critics say the breed has become more unpredictable over the past two decades because of bad breeding. “The parents of small children need to learn a lesson. Pit bulls are known to be dangerous. They are known to kill small children and animals, and the state cannot tolerate parents exposing children to multiple pit bulls inside the house or anywhere else,” said attorney Kenneth Phillips, who handles dog bite cases. Phillips said he favors creation of state or local laws that label specific breeds vicious and hold their owners more accountable. The label would apply to breeds with a documented pattern of violence, such as pit bulls, Rottweilers, presa canarios or dogo Argentinos.Local lawmakers are on the fence in supporting an outright ban, though most agree both parishes could use more proactive legislation.“I could do that, yeah. That’s the only dog you ever hear about,” said Lafourche Councilman Lindel Toups. “It’s hard to pick on just one breed of dogs. I think we need to enforce our laws more.” Arnold’s proposed legislation to be introduced at Tuesday’s Parish Council meeting would require a $200 permit for owners who want to breed a dangerous or vicious animal. Violators of the ordinance could face up to three days in jail or a $500 fine. The ordinance also requires a microchip be implanted in any dog deemed dangerous or vicious. Terrebonne increased the license fee for dangerous dogs from $10 to $150 and provided for a $150 fine. Owners of animals deemed vicious will pay $500 and owners who fail to comply with standards face a $500 fine. The ordinance also changed the tethering laws. Animals that stay outside must now be tethered with a “running line, pulley or trolley system.”

There’s no consensusLafourche Councilman Phillip Gouaux said he had mixed feelings on a breed ban following a July 6 pit bull attack in Chackbay. “Not all pit bulls are vicious animals. It all depends on the way the animal is raised,” he said. Other council members were firm in their opposition to a ban. Councilman Jerry Jones said he would not vote for any breed-specific measures. “I saw on the news the other day a squirrel attacked a guy in the park. Are we going to ban squirrels, too?” Jones said. “A guy crosses the road and gets hit by a car. What do we do there? Accidents are going to happen,” added Lafourche councilman Daniel Lorraine. Terrebonne Councilwoman Beryl Amadee said creating breed-specific legislation would be nearly impossible. Difficulty in determining the dog’s breed and the parish’s inability to strictly enforce the legislation are large obstacles. “Just because you say we make this illegal does not mean everyone is going to adhere to the regulation,” she said. Amadee, whose son was attacked by a rottweiler when he was younger, said she’s thoroughly researched similar legislation and found it to be ineffective. “I really wish that it would be as simple as writing up legislation and banning a particular breed,” she said. Terrebonne Councilmen John Navy, who spearheaded Terrebonne’s dog ordinance reform, Greg Hood and Danny Babin said dog owners need to become more responsible. Navy said if the parish’s recent efforts don’t prove effective he’ll support more restrictions. Hood said he wouldn’t favor breed-specific legislation because that would be like being in a dictatorship. “You’re telling people what they can and can’t have and we’re supposed to be a free country,” he said. Thibodaux officials say they’re open to vicious animal reform in the city. Existing laws similar to Lafourche Parish are too reactive, Mayor Tommy Eschete said. “If we don’t have anybody who reports it, we’re at a loss to do anything about it. That’s where the fault is in the legislation. Usually once somebody realizes a dog is vicious it’s already too late,” he said. City Councilman Gene Richard said favors legislation on aggressive breeds that make owners think twice about owning such a dog. City Councilwoman Constance Johnson said she would favor more restrictions on vicious animals. City Councilman Chip Badeaux said he would be in favor of banning pit bulls in Thibodaux but isn’t convinced the measure would be universally supported. “The animal hasn’t been bred properly. I don’t know why people even want to own a pit bull,” he said.

Staff Write Jacob Batte can be reached at 448-7635 or jacob.batte@dailycomet.com. Follow him on Twitter @ja_batte.

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